After what he describes as a "bleak" winter -- including turns in "Endgame," "Crime and Punishment" and one of the title characters in "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" -- Steve Hendrickson was looking for something a bit lighter.

He found the perfect vehicle: Agatha Christie’s comic drawing-room mystery, "Spider’s Web," opening Friday at Park Square Theatre. And to add to the fun, Hendrickson gets to play a trio of characters -- one of them a woman.

"It’s a real physical challenge," Hendrickson says about the triple role. "A lot of times, I will nonchalantly walk off-stage and then sprint to the other side, where the assistant stage manager is waiting to help me make a quick change for my next character."

Apart from the aerobic workout, the roles didn’t account for much more preparation than a leading role, as each is just a supporting turn. Fans of drawing-room mysteries may recognize the types: There’s the husband of the leading lady (played by Carolyn Pool); there’s the "sinister" butler and the eccentric gardener, Mrs. Peake.

Unlike many of the other Christie stage plays, there’s a real sense of humor in "Spider’s Web." Director Peter Moore has helped the sharpen that, but also kept the cast on task.

"We’ve tried to do it without any kind of 'winking' to the audience," Hendrickson says. "There’s a slight sense of pantomime in the Mrs. Peake character, but Peter has stressed to not play to that. Instead, I’m playing it as real as I can. ... The more serious we take it, the funnier it will be."

Christie’s stories -- and mysteries in general -- have endured because they fulfill a very basic human need, Hendrickson says. "We have a real longing in this world, where we see all sorts of crimes go unpunished, to see a criminal receive just desserts."

The author herself made a lasting impact via her well-drawn characters and cunning plots, Hendrickson says.

And they’re a lot of fun. "This show is the perfect one to go to in the spring. It’s a light and fluffy soufflé," Hendrickson says.

"Spider’s Web" runs through June 21 at the Park Square Theatre, 20 W. Seventh Place, St. Paul. Tickets are $34 and $37 ($39 opening night). For information and tickets, call 651-291-7005 or go online.